11 December 2014

"Craig, are you sure it's the right time to leave? I mean, just two days ago you told us it was all over between you and Siobhan, and I know that you're not in love with her. We both know… hell, we all know that… who it is you love, who you want to be with. You need to follow your heart. I know I've not always been very supportive of you and him, but I can see it now how much you miss him. I mean, you finally bring your girlfriend home after being together all this time, and it doesn't take more than a week near him and it all comes crumbling down."

Craig tried to get a word in, but to no avail.

"And you have a son with him. I know you haven't been there for them until now, but better late than never, and I know how fond you've grown of Matthew in these last few days. Why won't you stay until the New Year and see, ay?"

"Mum, I've got to go to work on Monday, and I have the ticket tonight." Craig finally managed to say something. "And besides, I didn't think you were all that fond of John Paul. He told me what you did!"

Frankie looked bewildered, but didn't manage a word before her son continued.

"Don't try that, mum, I know that you tried to take Matthew away from him. How could you do that?"

"Well, that was…" Frankie was flustered. "I was trying to do what I thought was for the best at the time. And I regret it now. I've seen how good a father John Paul has been, and just wish you'd be here to participate. I miss you, Craig, and Matthew needs you. Please, Craig, don't leave now!"

"I have to. There's no use in staying. I can come back a few times a year, and when Matthew's older, he can come and stay with me. But I won't be moving back. Not now."

Frankie managed to withhold the tears until her son had left the kitchen.

"John Paul?"

"Yeah, hi…" The young man was surprised to hear this particular voice as he picked up the phone.

"Can we talk? Am I disturbing?" The voice asked hesitantly.

"No, not really. I'm in between classes. What's wrong? Anything happened? To Craig? To Matthew?" He got more distressed as he wondered why his former almost mother-in-law was calling him like this.

"No, nothing's happened. Well, apart from…" She paused for a moment. "Craig's leaving tonight and you need to stop him!"

"What?" John Paul asked in shock.

"You need to stop him, John Paul! The two of you should be together. He's broken up with Siobhan, but whatever's going on between you and that Spike has made him decide to go back, and I'm scared that he'll try and mend this thing with her, and we all know it's not gonna make him happy. You are the only one who can do that, I realise that now. I'm begging you, John Paul! Talk to him! Stop him from leaving!"

"Frankie.. I …" John Paul was speechless.

"His flight's at nine thirty. Stop him!"

He was filled with dread as he entered the airport. One of the worst moments of his life once took place here, and he wasn't certain tonight would be any better. He hurried to the check-in information and found that check-in had already started for the Dublin flight. Damn cab driver taking the wrong turn or he'd have been here before check-in opened. Now he couldn't be certain that Craig hadn't already checked in and gone through security. John Paul ran to the check-in desk. There was quite a long cue and he hoped that it was a good sign. No Craig could be found, though. He looked and searched but he wasn't there. He then ran back, to the escalator that lead to security and the departure hall. He noticed a dark-haired man that resembled his ex-boyfriend just exiting at the top, together with a woman that could well be Siobhan. There was no time to waste on thinking about whether it was a restricted area or not. He jumped on the escalator and pushed past people as he climbed to the top. He then started running again, calling out Craig's name as he got nearer the couple. He finally caught up with them and grabbed the man's upper arm.

It wasn't him.

"Sorry, I… I…." He stammered. "I thought you were someone else. Sorry." He felt the disappointment hit him like a tidal wave. "I apologise! Have a safe flight." He whispered as he turned around to make his way back to find a staircase or a lift that would take him downstairs again. Near the escalator he saw a sign that read 'way out' and walked in that direction, past a door to a men's toilet. He'd just turned around the next corner when the person he'd been looking for came through that door and walked in the opposite direction, towards security.

He found Siobhan sitting on a bench, together with their baggage.

"Craig?" She half-asked uncertainly.

"What?" He asked back.

"I'm not certain, but I think John Paul might just have been here looking for you."

She had barely finished her sentence when he'd taken off, running back towards the escalator. He didn't hesitate but charged down, against traffic, and managed to slalom his way. He then ran around the check-in area but couldn't find John Paul. He ran outside the building, to the cab and bus stops, but there was no John Paul there.

Finally, he gave up and made his way back upstairs where Siobhan was still waiting for him. He shook his head and she took him in her arms and led him through security.

Not wanting anyone to see him crying, John Paul had found a secluded spot on the other side of the bus stop. He was still sitting there when both he and Craig remembered that they had each other's mobile number.

By then, Craig's plane was already on the runway.